Fast-food value compared: NetCredit study ranks burgers and fries across 14 U.S. chains

NetCredit has released a comparative study examining what “value” looks like in today’s fast-food burger market – and its core message is straightforward: price alone doesn’t tell the full story. By weighing burger patties and fries and pairing those weights with national average pricing and published nutrition data, the study argues that consumers comparing “best deals” may need to consider cost-per-ounce, protein density, calorie concentration, and portion size together, not in isolation. Best value burgers

What NetCredit says it measured – and how

NetCredit’s analysis focuses on a standardized order across 14 large U.S. burger chains: a single-patty cheeseburger and a medium (or regular) fries. The company says it weighed patties and fries using kitchen scales after excluding buns, sauces, and other added ingredients, and it used each chain’s published nutritional menus for protein and calorie comparisons. To reduce the impact of regional price differences, the study says pricing was normalized using NetCredit’s 2025 Cost of Takeout study national averages. Best value burgers

The chains listed in the study are: A&W, Burger King, Carl’s Jr, Culver’s, Dairy Queen, Five Guys, In-N-Out, Jack in the Box, McDonald’s, Shake Shack, Smashburger, Sonic, Wendy’s, and Whataburger. Best value burgers

Burger “best value” – Whataburger ranks first on cost per ounce

On NetCredit’s burger value metric (price per ounce of patty), Whataburger ranks first at $1.66 per ounce. McDonald’s ranks second at $1.91 per ounce, followed by Smashburger at $1.96, and Burger King at $1.99. At the other end of the ranking, Five Guys is listed as the most expensive on this measure at $3.59 per ounce. Best value burgers

This framing matters because it shifts the comparison away from the sticker price of a burger and toward what NetCredit positions as a more standardized measure: how much patty weight consumers receive per dollar.

Patty size – the heaviest and lightest patties in the comparison

NetCredit also lists patty weights (in ounces) across the 14 chains. In this dataset:

• Heaviest patty: Whataburger at 3.56 oz
• Next: Shake Shack at 3.03 oz
• Wendy’s at 2.75 oz
• Smashburger at 2.58 oz
• Sonic at 2.47 oz
• Lightest patty: McDonald’s at 1.06 oz Best value burgers

NetCredit’s broader point is that a consumer can perceive a burger as a “better deal” for many reasons (brand, taste, familiarity, convenience), but the physical portion – as measured here by patty weight – can differ substantially from chain to chain. Best value burgers

Fries “best value” – Shake Shack ranks first on cost per ounce

For fries, NetCredit ranks brands by price per ounce. Shake Shack is listed as the best value at $0.40 per ounce, followed by Culver’s at $0.50, and Five Guys at $0.54. Sonic ranks last at $1.27 per ounce. Best value burgers

In other words, NetCredit distinguishes between “value” as cost efficiency (price per ounce) and “value” as sheer quantity (total ounces served).

Fries portion size – Five Guys serves the most by weight

On total fries weight, Five Guys is listed as the clear leader at 11.29 oz, with Shake Shack next at 6.17 oz and Culver’s at 5.29 oz. Sonic again ranks lowest on this measure at 2.54 oz. Best value burgers

For consumers, this is one of the more practical takeaways in the dataset: a chain can rank highly on portion size while not necessarily ranking first on cost-per-ounce, depending on the price used in the comparison.

Protein density – Smashburger leads per 100 grams of burger

NetCredit also compares burgers by protein per 100 grams of burger. Smashburger’s All-American Smash ranks first at 15.7g protein per 100g, followed by Jack in the Box at 15.0g per 100g. Shake Shack and McDonald’s are both listed at 14.4g per 100g. Five Guys ranks lowest at 8.7g per 100g. Best value burgers

This ranking reinforces NetCredit’s stated theme that “value” can be evaluated in different ways: a burger may be large, but not necessarily protein-dense relative to its overall weight. Best value burgers

Calorie concentration – Jack in the Box ranks highest per 100 grams

A separate comparison ranks burgers by calories per 100 grams. NetCredit lists Jack in the Box’s Jr. Jack Cheeseburger as highest at 345.8 calories per 100g, followed by McDonald’s at 288.5, Smashburger at 288.0, and Sonic at 286.9. Whataburger is listed as the lowest on calorie concentration at 187.3 calories per 100g. Best value burgers

NetCredit’s inclusion of calorie density adds a second consumer lens: a lower cost-per-ounce or larger portion may come with a different calorie profile than shoppers assume when ordering “value” food. Best value burgers

What the study suggests consumers do with the information

The document includes consumer guidance that emphasizes:

• paying attention to protein content as a factor linked to satiety
• considering calories per dollar and calorie density
• staying aware of portion size
• customizing orders where possible to improve nutrition without necessarily increasing cost Best value burgers

It also states that burgers and fries can still function as a budget-friendly occasional meal, while noting that red meat should be eaten in moderation. Best value burgers

Who produced the project

The document identifies NetCredit as a subsidiary of Enova International and states that NeoMam Studios was commissioned to produce and promote the project.

Source: NetCredit. Full story here